Ichabod's Kin
A place for politics, pop culture, and social issues

          Not a good year for a lot of us. Too many others voted for an illusion, a specter of “greatness” promised, that they may never see. Those seeking power tell people what they want to hear; Then the winners do what they want. For we who sought better, well, a terrible, no good, very bad year.

          This month we typically take a breath from more common circumstances, overlook our grudges, wish each other well—and afterward go back to being our very uncharitable selves. And the coming year bodes more ill. Trump said he wouldn’t accept the wrong outcome, but won and suddenly elections are no longer “rigged”; Dems accepted it and pursues a peaceful transfer of power. Now who’s naughty or nice?

          So a Clown Car Cabinet is being readied, sans one who had nothing going for him; Hegseth will be way in over his head; Bobby, Jr. would manage our national health by yanking polio vaccines; the FBI will be run like a mafia and Education faces its own suicide; Musk and whom, for convenience, I call Swami Rama, are set to chop up government and Elon will be a Trump Whisperer. I’ll stop there; an entire book couldn’t hold the forebodings of mischief.

          Just be assured we have a new American Oligarchy and the people lost in the darkness of miscast votes will soon find who doesn’t really love them.  

          A host of religions celebrate this season because it’s really about Light. Whatever the symbols, a Star of Birth, Candles of Hanukkah, whatever, it’s all about the winter solstice, celebrated by few but the most logical choice. Ancients thought the sun was going away and leave them to a cold death. They were literally the People Lost in Darkness. Then it turned in its ellipsis, and exploded in a resurrection of all nature. Plenty to like there.

          We live because of the Sun. But we’ll hear about a god of love and a gift of love to us. But it’s only words. Racism isn’t back, it never went away. Same for antisemitism and for all around us who are “different” and whom we just can’t get used to. If only we would get to know them, but we won’t let that happen.

          If anything is lost in darkness it is human empathy. The Christmas narrative concerns a family of migrants who are both disadvantaged and unwelcome in a new place. Religion today can’t put two and two together; they love that old story while ignoring the plight of modern migrants.

          The Jewish bible tells of enslaved people who made a break for freedom. During a long homeless period and tired of its inconveniences, they longed for the “fleshpots” of their former enslavement. Today, as part of the world’s greatest economy, we think we are impoverished and hope to gain from promises based on weird economics. Add that that threats to our most essential international protections—i.e., withdrawal from NATO.

          Ah, the lure of fleshpots: the great American addiction.

          For the incoming administration, all looks rosy—the Oval Office, Congress, and the Supreme Court all in one cannonball. Book banners, DEI deniers, and anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment in another. What could go wrong?

          Spoiler alert: it’s the worst of places to be. “All that goes up must come down” is the gospel truth—and “Ozymandias” its great poem. The White House is, after all, the Home of Bad Luck. Every president faces the unexpected and unaccounted-for that harries its occupant. That’s not rare, it’s routine.

          But ‘tis the Season. Hear again of Tiny Tim and his remarkable though impoverished family; be reminded of Scrooge, the worst of men redeemed not by religion; he just had the hell scared out of him. Will we learn nothing from all that, and not feel the sting of hypocrisy?

          This time next year, what will the truth look like? For now, greet all you meet with cheer. On Jan. 2, put on your boots and hitch up your britches. There’ll be a world of trouble, and work to do. 

          A season merry. And scary.